Marantz Model 5420 Tape Deck w/VU Meters and 4-Ch Mixer

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Super cool tape deck from Marantz in an unconventional form factor.

It's also complete with all knobs and switches intact, no missing parts to speak of here.

The traditional gorgeous blue Marantz meters and brushed aluminum faceplate are a perfect match to other great components from this era.

Lightly serviced at our shop with new belts, lubrication, cleaning etc. It's also able to record and play super well.

Click below to add our recommended matching cables from Kimber Kable, all brand new as SkyFi is an official Kimber dealer. 

Ascent Series Hero Analog Interconnects (PAIR) - RCA Ultraplate or WBT Connectors

The SkyFi Testing Process for Tape Decks and Reel to Reel Machines:

First steps are performed to determine if the unit is a candidate for our full restoration process or if its just in need of a light service.

We first do a  basic functionality test to ensure proper playback fast forward and rewind.  We look for smooth operation of the motors, transport engagement and associated rolling parts.  

We then do an internal physical inspection to ensure the belts and rubber consumable parts are up to spec.  

Internal components are checked to make sure that there are no signs of heat stress or damage particularly in the power supply section.  Capacitors are checked for telltale signs of predictive failure including bulging, shrunken wrappers, or physical leakage. We also inspect the PCBs for discoloration from resistors or transistors that may have been running hot. On vintage units we often spot check select capacitors for value and ESR. 

A light service will involve replacement of belts and rollers, external cleaning of heads, mechanism and boards and basic record and playback tests.  

A full restoration will often include disassembly of the drive system and replacement of all consumable and wearable parts including pinch rollers, belts, brakes, bearings.  We then clean lubricate and re-assembly the drive and perform basic mechanical alignment to ensure proper tape path and head alignment. 

Final calibration will involved adjustment of playback erase and record heads and optimization of the bias for a specific tape type.  We do this with the aid of a  Soundtech 1510A tape deck analyzer and a Nakamichi T100 unit and reference calibration tapes.  

Final listening tests are done while monitoring with our reference Grado HP1 headphones and a variety of factory and custom reference recordings.  We find that there is no better system for critical listening on tapes than the headphones specially when comparing a live feed to a recorded feed.  

More from the original Marantz Owner's Manual:
The Marantz Model 5420 is more than just a stereo cassette deck.

It's a four-channel input active mixer with panpots, a Dolby Noise Reduction System, and a rugged, reliable, cassette recorder with ferrite heads.

All built in a single unit.

Even though they share a common chassis, these three building blocks retain the flexibility of separate components.

The mixer section and/or the Dolby System can be used on external equipment, such as a reel-to-reel tape deck or public address system, independently of cassette operation.

The 5420 also has the circuitry necessary to decode Dolby FM broadcasts, and special bias and equalization to record on Chromium Dioxide and Ferri-Chrome low noise cassette tapes.

Along with features and versatility, the Model 5420 reflects Marantz' state-of-the-art technology.

Marantz Model 5420 Stereo Cassette Deck - Owner's Manual

Technical Specifications
4-Track, 2-Channel Stereo, Cassette (Tape) Deck

Speed:
4.8 cm/s

Tape Compatibility:
Type I, FeCr Type III, and CrO2 Type II

Dolby Noise Reduction:
B

Frequency Response:
30 Hz to 17 kHz
(Measured using FeCr type tape)

Signal to Noise Ratio:
60 dB
(Measured with Dolby B NR)

Wow and Flutter:
0.07%

Total Harmonic Distortion:
2.00%

Input:
70mV (Line)
0.25mV (Mic)

Output:
0.9V (line)

Dimensions:
17-5/16"
6-1/2"
12-3/4"

Weight:
19 lbs

Production Years:
1975 - 1978